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A few days ago, George commented on my Wrestling Double vs Morote Gari II post. George’s comment and question is:
What do you plan to do now that grabbing the pant legs is an instant shido in Judo? After watching the Fukuoka Championships, apparently even touching the legs was warranting a shido. In the 57kg division for example a french player was training by yuko and threw the Japanese player with a quick Morote Gari to the side for apparent wazari but the referee’s met and gave her a shido instead. Her hand wasn’t even closed around the gi pants.
Well George, according to the USA Judo Referee Commission’s interpretation of the rule changes, grabbing the gi pants is only illegal when used in defense without attacking or to initiate a technique. Meaning you may grab the pants to finish an attack, but not to begin one.
For example, you may enter into a Khabarelli starting with the O-uchi Gari and finishing with the pants grab, but you can not enter starting with the pants grab and finishing with the O-Uchi Gari. This does not change the effectiveness of Morote Gari very much.
As for the Fukuoka Championships, I have not seen the video so I cannot respond specifically. I can say though that as with new rule implementations in the past, it will take some time for there to be a consensus on how the referees will be calling these penalties.
If you are competing now, I would play it safe. What we know for sure is that it is still legal to cup, hook or reap your opponents legs as long as you do not grab the pants. To be clear, Morote Gari is still legal! But for now, until it is clear when it is allowed and when it is penalty worthy, I would avoid pants leg grabbing.
Great question that I am going to steal another reason from!
Reason #2 of 27 why you need Ugly Judo 101: Morote Gari : Because Morote Gari is still legal!
Once again an excellent written post from you. Keep it up!